Annoying classmate keeps calling for computer help...

[gwlam12]

wow, 100 is dirt cheap? i should keep that in mind

 

[Gunther]

You should charge him a reduced fee to install the OS and various other applications that he wants on his system. Then tell him that for any future tech. support if the problem can not be solved in 5 minutes over the phone you will charge him an hourly fee with min 1 hr. This method of course is not to rip him off, but to make you the ass computer guy who charges, so he wont bother you anymore

 

[Jhill]

I used to tell people I knew a lot about computers. I USED TO.

 

[borealiss]

if they're annoying and persistent i usually play dumb and say "this is beyond the scope of my knowledge". ask if he's got a hot sister and if he does, post pics. i'll get back to you if/when you post pics. then ask if he'll loan her out.

 

[nd]

Originally posted by: human2k
[...] Now this idiot is calling me for help, first it started off about installing the HSF, now its on to installing WinME. I told this idiot that since he had 1gb ram he couldn't run WinME without editing system.ini file, so I told him to install WinXP, he said "ok". Just today the idiot calls me asking why WindowsXP doesn't see his hard drive correctly. [...] Tell the idiot to stop calling me? I'm a pretty nice person.

You do not seem like a very nice person at all from this post. Now, maybe there's more to the story than you're revealing here, but based on what you said alone -- referring to him as an idiot is unwarranted. Just because someone doesn't posess the same knowledge you have about some particular topic (computers in this case), doesn't make them an idiot. In fact, one could say that's a pretty "idiotic" attitude to have. I would say that this guy doesn't seem very resourceful, though (if he realizes he's in over his head, he should take a step back and do more research on his own rather than bugging you with a bunch of questions at this point -- that's just rude).

 

[RealWarlock]

To my close relatives I'm "computer support charity"

I charge my brother-in-law for my time.

 

[dakata24]

eh. you offer to put together a system for cheap.. he declines.. and now is bugging you with all these questions. start charging him by the hour.

 

[nan0bug]

Just make the $100 offer again. If he doesnt accept it, wish him good luck and politely ask him not to call you to walk him through setting it up himself, since it's taking up more of your time than just setting it up yourself would.

 

[bob332]

this is the very reason why i stopped building other people computers...

 

[SilverThief]

Slap the piss out of him, then kindly let him know that from here on out any and all computer related questions will incur a fee of $35 per hour.

 

[TheCorm]

Originally posted by: her209

Originally posted by: sygyzy
Being the "computer guy" is only cool when you help girls.

Why? Is that the only way you can close enough to a female without soiling yourself?

That's right.....I always find that most girls......HEY!!...LOL :beer:

Yeah I have the same prob, I then made the statement that I would only do computer stuff for family and thats that, anyone else must pay....it was taking too much of my free time up...people seemed to think that I really enjoyed messing about with their rubbish PC's all the live long day....which I did NOT.

Jamie

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Ever do tech support on a computer that you've sold, then that person's sold, then that person's given away? Only because it's still in the family?

Yeah, I've stopped giving computers to reletives.

 

[isasir]

Ha ha, you're a nice guy.

There's no advice I could give you that you didn't already know, nor was just repeated here. So instead I'll just laugh at you, since I've realized that if you stop returning phone calls by these people, they stop calling you.

 

[KC5AV]

You should just tell him that you will set everything up for him. If he doesn't want to pay, then tell him that you are very sorry, but this is not something you do just as a hobby. If this is the way you make a living, you shouldn't be giving free support to people who don't know what they are doing. If it is a hobby, and the guy is really annoying you, just go over there and set it up for him. Tell him this is a freebie, but continued support will be charged at a rate of $X.xx per hour with a 1 hour minimum. If you don't put a stop to it now, it will continue. Good luck.

 

[human2k]

...people seemed to think that I really enjoyed messing about with their rubbish PC's all the live long day....which I did NOT.

Thats the exact problem I have with my relatives. I guess I better start charging everyone before this gets out of hand. With the semester almost done I won't have free time any more because of work/summer class. (not that I actually have free time anymore)

 

[Bryophyte]

I would tell him "My original offer still stands...I can get you up and running for $100. It would be a favor for you because my normal rate is $50 per hour and this job will likely exceed that. Just don't let everyone know, or they'll want the same treatment. I cannot afford that." Don't give him *any* words of wisdom after that. Not one HINT on how to fix it himself.

You might sound like a nice guy that way, and the guy would hopefully feel like a dick for calling you for free help anymore.

Since I sold my business three years ago, the only people I help for free are my mom and mother-in-law. Kinda owe them that for all the crap they put up with when we were kids/teens. A few family friends that occasionally need help ALWAYS pay me richly for my time.

The only alternative to making him pay cash that you should accept is to barter for his skills or belongings. Does he do or have anything worth $100? I got free haircuts and swimming lessons for my kids when I was in business.

 

[Garet Jax]

Originally posted by: RealWarlock

To my close relatives I'm "computer support charity"

I charge my brother-in-law for my time.

You must be popular at family get togethers.

 

[V00DOO]

If you don't tell him to get lost, you'll never hear the last from him or her. And if you are going to charge him, do what I do and tell them in advance I will not provide support once the system is complete so they don't call you in the middle of the night asking "What can I connect to the net?".

 

[Bryophyte]

Originally posted by: V00DOO
If you don't tell him to get lost, you'll never hear the last from him or her. And if you are going to charge him, do what I do and tell them in advance I will not provide support once the system is complete so they don't call you in the middle of the night asking "What can I connect to the net?".

Very good advice.

 

[SagaLore]

Tell him if he calls you again you're going to have to bill him the original quote of $100.

 

[human2k]

Originally posted by: BigDan
The only alternative to making him pay cash that you should accept is to barter for his skills or belongings. Does he do or have anything worth $100? I got free haircuts and swimming lessons for my kids when I was in business.

Good idea, I'll try that if he calls again today when I get home.

 

[slycat]

so u like being taken advantage of?...
u asked for 100 he said ok...then nope but keeps calling
anyways, thats taking adv.

 

[TheWart]

Originally posted by: Skyclad1uhm1

Originally posted by: theNEOone
tell him that you'll fix all his problems for $200.

Either this, or tell him this will need an expert, and that you know someone but that it won't be cheap.
If he agrees, call a fellow computer geek, get him to drop by his appartment and fix it in 30 seconds, then ask for payment
He'll feel ripped off, and with some luck will call someone else next time.

brilliant!

 

[reitz]

Originally posted by: human2k

Originally posted by: Radiohead
Are you a non profit organization... or some sort of computer support charity?

money talks

To my close relatives I'm "computer support charity".

I am as well, but it's not too bad. No one calls me with problems, and if I need to drive back home to work on something, I get paid $20/hr plus gas money. Otherwise it's a free meal and a favor I can call in later.